SGT. SHAWN MICHAEL FARRELL II

Sgt. Shawn Michael Farrell II, 24, of Accord, NY passed away on April 28, 2014 of wounds sustained while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan when forces attacked his unit with small arms fire in Nejrab District, Kapisa province.

He was born September 1, 1989 in Kingston, NY and graduated from Rondout Valley High School in 2008.

He is survived by his wife of one year and four months, Allison Hilbrandt Farrell. He is the beloved son of Shawn Farrell and Tracy Kelleher of Accord and Heather and David Stokes of Stone Ridge, NY. He is the grandson of Jacklyn Knowles and George Solcberg of Accord and step-grandson of Doreen Knowles of Rosendale, NY and Sharon Vavolizza of Stone Ridge. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Thomas Knowles, formerly of High Falls, NY and Robert and Shirley Zeko, formerly of Accord. He leaves behind three brothers: Brandon and Jake Farrell and David Stokes II; two sisters: Jenna and Aidan Farrell; two nieces: Sophie and Aubrey Farrell. He leaves behind mother and father-in-law, Mechelle and Brian Hilbrandt; sister-in-law, Hannah Hillbrandt, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

At the time of his death, Shawn was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, New York. He joined the Army in September 2006. After initial-entry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division of Fort Riley, Kansas. He arrived at Fort Drum in May 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2011 and again in November 2013. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal. He completed the Warrior Leader Course, the Combat Life Savers Course and the Air Assault Course.

Country, family and friends were his priorities in life. He lived a life of service with a joyfulness and playfulness that will live in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him best.

Shawn will receive full military honors in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country. He will arrive at Stewart Airport on the morning of May 7, from which he will be escorted home to Accord, NY by his family, members of the United States Military, members of the Accord and Kripplebush Fire Departments, Ulster County Sheriff's Department, New York State Police, and Patriot Guard Riders. The family will have a private ceremony following his arrival on May 7. On May 8, friends and members of the public are invited to pay their respects beginning at 10 a.m. at Skate Time in Accord, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the scholarship fund that has been set up in his honor: Sgt. Shawn Farrell II Memorial Scholarship, 686 Watson Hollow Road, West Shokan, NY 12494.

Funeral services are being handled through the George J. Moylan Funeral Home Inc, 2053 Route 32, Rosendale, NY. Interment will follow the ceremony in the Krumville Cemetery.

(www.GJMoylanFuneralHome.com)

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